Bespoke Website Development

What is bespoke website development?

Bespoke website development refers to the design and development of a website built entirely from scratch to meet a client’s specific needs and objectives. Unlike off-the-shelf or template based websites - which are designed to appeal to a much wider audience - bespoke websites are created for a single client or organisation whereby they can incorporate their unique brand, goals and user experience requirements.

Template based websites more often than not come with strict design limitations that can prevent businesses from establishing a distinctive digital presence. With a bespoke solution, every element from layout and functionality to user flow and visual identity is tailored to reflect the organisation’s brand, values and market positioning, helping them stand out in a VERY crowded online space.

Typical features of a bespoke website

They have a unique design - First and foremost, bespoke websites are uniquely designed to meet to specific criteria defined by the client. Unlike using ready built templates, platforms or themes, bespoke website development involves creating a unique and original design for the website that does not currently exist. 

They can be customised - Bespoke websites are customised to address the specific requirements of a single client. This involves creating unique design elements as covered above, as well as incorporating features and functionalities that align with the clients target audience, users and industry.

They are scalable - Bespoke websites can be designed to be scalable and can even be set up in a way that accommodates future ambitions. This is to allow for efficient future expansion and updates to the website as the business evolves. This is particularly important for organisations that anticipate growth and need their website to be able to adapt to changes quickly.

You are heavily involved in the process - Unlike websites built using pre existing templates, the development process of bespoke websites usually involves much closer collaboration between the client and the development team. Regular reviews and communication touch points are vital to ensure that the final product aligns with the clients requirements.

They are SEO focused - A bespoke website allows for more advanced on page SEO setup and customisation which provides businesses with a better foundation for search engine visibility. URL structures, metadata, content layouts and technical SEO can be designed specific to a business's digital strategy.

Integration capabilities - Whether it's a CRM, ERP, payment gateway, booking engine or analytics tool -bespoke websites can be developed to ensure they can integrate with other essential existing systems. 

How can we help?

Whilst bespoke website development provides clients with a high degree of customisation and flexibility, it can also take significantly longer to deliver, require more input from the client and can be costly compared to using existing solutions.

Businesses and individuals generally opt for bespoke website development when they have specific requirements that cannot be wholly or adequately addressed by off-the-shelf solutions.

If you're wondering whether a bespoke website is the right choice for your business, you're in the right place! Our UK based developers bring over 30 years of combined experience in designing and building custom websites. We’re happy to explore your current setup, goals and challenges to help you make an informed decision by weighing up the pros and cons based on your specific environment and what you want to achieve.

FAQs

Q) Do I need a bespoke website?

A) That totally depends on your goals, budget and the complexity of what you require your website to do. A bespoke website is custom built to fit your exact needs, offering total control over design, functionality and performance. They are popular with businesses that have unique branding, specific user journeys or advanced features that off-the-shelf templates simply can’t provide.

However, if your requirements are simple, like a brochure site or a basic online presence, a well built template site might be perfectly adequate and more cost effective. In short, if standing out, scaling up or integrating with other systems is a priority, a bespoke website is often worth the investment.

Q) How much does a bespoke website cost?

A) As ever, when talking costs, there's no easy answer. Bespoke websites can range from a few thousand pounds to tens of thousands, depending on your specific needs. The cost is influenced by factors including the size of the site, the complexity of the design any custom functionality, integrations with other systems, ecommerce requirements and content creation.

Further reading

What is the difference between bespoke and off-the-shelf web development?